Retirement and Good Will Wednesday

Yesterday was my first official day of Retirement. Wow, what a difficult day it was...........NOT!  I played by meeting some girlfriends for a day of antiquing, second-hand store shopping and eating out. 

Us waiting for our food...... 

.....here. (think they need to trim their Rhody?)

I love this Antique store.....

Then we headed to a large:

Where I found a not used Lenox picture frame that is so so delicate and pretty. I instantly knew what picture I'd put in it.

(cute child models....)

Close up of the molded details...(isn't it just so girly looking?).

 

Here's my cute girly looking baby Granddaughter in it....so perfect!

My second day of retirement (today) will be spent unpacking from our weekend away, laundry, a little gardening and a few chores....but wowzer that is ok because I get to do it during the day and not after a long day at work.......WooHoo.  Oh, and it's my hubby's birthday so will cook him a favorite dinner and dessert for family to enjoy with us. Ahhhhh; the sweet life!

May your day be good and remember to do a kind deed for someone. Kindness counts.

July 4th and 5th was Fabulous

For us the BIG celebration was the return of our Son In-law from his year tour in Afghanistan. His parents invited more people than usual to their wonderful home for a WELCOME HOME party.  Fun...fun.... and so nice to see our daughter in a state of relief and happiness.

....and who doesn't love strawberries.......especially when it looks like this.

The Fireworks arrived.

The Sunday Creative - Denim

Over at Madelinebea blog:

http://madelinebea.com/blog/2010/07/the-sunday-creative-july-3-10/

she is posting a 'Word of Inspiration' each Sunday for us to use and post a picture in her blog post.  This weeks word is Denim.  I instantly thought of Baby Granddaughter in her denim jeans.  I took a picture of her recently in them and used it.  This is the picture.....I call it "Blue Jean Baby".  The blue jeans are so so girly and cute as is she.

I love denim....I think all of America does. I didn't start wearing denim jeans until I was in my late 20's and quickly learned I don't like my jeans tight.....  Have done so occasionally but prefer the loose fit.  Someone recently told me ladies over 60 shouldn't wear blue jeans.....well TOO BAD.  I still do when working in the yard, visiting the woods or ocean, or just in the mood to do so. (I'm so glad to be at a stage of my life where I can say "too bad!" )

Happy Birthday America

Happy Birthday America!


and to all of you. Don't you just love that old joke "Do they have a 4th of July in England?" I've heard people say "no".

May today be a day filled with pride of America, time with loving family, good food and safe fireworks.

Our celebration will be better this year because our Son In-law is now home from Afghanistan. His year tour ended a week ago. Yiippee!, and party on!

If you want to see the layouts I did for last years 4th of July party see this:

http://oh-for-joy.blogspot.com/2010/02/scrapbooking-monday_15.html

"Beautiful Blogger" HUH? me?

Nikki,    http://www.nikkidz.blogspot.com/

one of my most favorite bloggers due to her randomness, delicious food pictures and fabulous wit, tagged me to share 7 things about myself. She put me under the category of "Beautiful Blogger"...

so since I analyze everything in my brain....... Beautiful?  what:  my pictures, my thoughts, my mug, my persona, my aura (she sees them I'm sure)...  I decided the beautiful thing on my blog she is referring to is this:

My Granddaughter; who is four months old now; and who Nikki gets to spend time with occasionaly.  But having said that: thanks Nikki for the Category.....I'll dream it's all about me.

The rules:

1. Say thanks to the person who gave me this award.

2. Share 7 things about myself

3. Pass the award along to other bloggers who I have recently discovered and think are great!

Seven things to share about me that aren't TMI:

1. I love to laugh so hard my gut aches.

2. I won a free ticket on an airplane once.

3. New experiences can frighten me sometimes.

4. When driving, I have to leave an area the same way I came in or I feel panicky/lost.

5. Ladybugs make me feel whimsical when I see them or get to hold one.

6. My first 'for paycheck' job was working for the Seattle School District - keypunching payroll.  I doubt any of you know what that means.

7. Due to allergies I haven't had yeast bread in 23 years.

5 bloggers I have recently discovered and follow now are:

http://craftystorage.blogspot.com/

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/

http://www.obsessedwithscrapbooking.com/

http://piecesofmepapercrafts.blogspot.com/

http://missmelissaw.blogspot.com/

To them I pass the a  'Most Inspirational Blogger' award.... Check them out.

Garage Sale Friday

Good Will Hunter Hubby and I attended an Estate Sale last Friday. I found two green oval 'Rose' Fenton vases. They were made in the late 60's. I'm always amazed to find those feet not chipped. 

I found this pretty pink frame and knew instantly what I would use it for...

My baby Granddaughter and this cute picture of her 'praying hands'.

This red piece below is a beautiful hurricane shade in a nice cut design. The red glass was layered over crystal when the piece was made and the design was cut on a wheel.  I found a video on YouTube that shows this type of cutting process. The link is below the picture below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjZITa67Zn0&feature=related

Have a good weekend all and nice July 4th celebration of our great country.

'Moss Rose' Roses

While in Portland on Saturday I discovered a rose bush that is a 'Moss' Rose Rose. I have some painted glassware inspired by this unique rose and there are lots of china pieces with Moss Rose decoration on it.  It was very fun to actually see one in person. I love it. 

I bravely touched one of the stems to see how sharp or prickly the protrusions were and was surprised at the softness of them; as is the moss calyx and sepals of the bud.  I did some Internet research on this type of rose and found some interesting information.  I've put that at the bottom of this post.

I think this variety is so fascinating and want a bush like this.

This is the glassware I own that has a hand painted decoration on it, in what the company that painted it called Moss Rose. That company was L. G. Wright Glass Company. This glassware is from the 1940's to early '50's.

China with a Moss Rose decal decoration.

I found that picture on a Rose Information site...that bouquet is so so beautiful.

From the Internet:

About Moss Roses By H. Scott Hansen

"Moss roses are another of the Old Garden Rose classes distinguished by green, mossy-looking growth on the sepals of the bud and the calyx. The "moss" is really
small glandular growth which is a mutation of the prickles and oil glands found in most roses. The "moss" in many varieties has a balsam or piny scent especially when touched.
The beginning of the moss roses is generally held to have been around 1700 as a sport of the centifolias. Centifolia Muscosa (Old Pink Moss) is likely the first and some believe it has never been equaled."

If you wish to read more this is a fun site and one can see other colors in this unique rose variety.
http://www.rdrop.com/~paul/mosses/index.html

I hope your day is good and everything comes up smelling like Roses....sweet sweet Roses.